Tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector

ABSTRACT

A medical device tube having extended retention tabs with notches therein for improved coupling of an inner cannula connector to an outer cannula connector. The medical device tube comprises an outer cannula connector having retention tabs on an outer cannula connector flange attached to the proximal end of an outer cannula. The retention tabs maintain the snap ears of the inner cannula connector when the inner cannula connector is rotated whereby the notches substantially hold the snap ears. The snap ears may further be positioned in notches in the outer cannula flange when the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula connector flange.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure, according to one embodiment, relates to medicaldevice tubes, e.g., tracheostomy tubes, used in medical applications,and more particularly, to improving the reliability of maintaining asecure attachment of an inner cannula to an outer cannula.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present invention,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

A medical device tube may be comprised of an outer cannula (slender tubethat may be inserted into a body cavity) attached to a head baseconnector. The head base connector and outer cannula are adapted forinsertion of an inner cannula. One example of a medical device tube is atracheostomy tube. The tracheostomy tube may be “L” shaped and the headbase connector may be attached to a swivel neck plate/flange. Thetracheostomy tube provides an artificial airway for access to thepatient's airway for airway management. The tracheostomy tube may beintroduced into a tracheotomy incision in the patient's neck thatprovides access to the trachea. The tracheostomy tube may be secured aswivel neck plate/flange that may be connected to a tracheostomy tubeholder or neck strap, thus securing this artificial airway forspontaneous or mechanical ventilation of the patient.

The inner cannula may be inserted into the head base connector and outercannula after the tracheostomy tube has been placed into the patient'strachea. This inner cannula typically includes a connector for quickremoval of the inner cannula from the outer cannula, e.g., the innercannula connector removably attaches to the head base connector, so thatthe inner cannula may be removed quickly if an obstruction, e.g., plugof mucus, sputum, etc., forms in the inner cannula. For example, a snapconnector may be used for attaching the inner cannula to the outercannula. A mechanical ventilator hose may be removably coupled to theinner cannula snap connector for assisting the patient in breathing.However, if the inner cannula is twisted during use, e.g., caused bymovement of the ventilator hose connected thereto, the snap connectormay disengage and allow the inner cannula to withdraw from the outercannula.

SUMMARY

In previous medical device tube designs, a snap connector, e.g., apolypropylene material snap connector, having integral snap ears wasused for attaching the inner cannula to the outer cannula head flange,with only the integral snap ears supplying retention between the innerand outer cannula connectors. Improving the reliability of attachmentand continued attachment retention of the inner cannula connector to theouter cannula connector may be desired. Also, an added benefit would beto do so without having to change existing designs for the inner cannulasnap connector, e.g., continued use of existing inner cannulas snap eardesigns, but may also be utilized in any other or new medical devicetube design.

According to a specific example embodiment of the present disclosure, atracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector,includes an outer cannula snap flange; at least one retention tab havinga first notch therein, wherein the at least one retention tab may besubstantially parallel to a radial axis of the outer cannula snapflange; and the first notch receives and holds snap ears of an innercannula connector when the snap ears are rotated into the first notch ofthe retention tab.

According to another specific example embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a medical device tube includes an outer cannula; an outercannula snap flange coupled to the outer cannula; at least two retentiontabs attached to the outer cannula snap flange, each of the at least tworetention tabs having a first notch therein, wherein the at least tworetention tabs are substantially parallel to a radial axis of the outercannula snap flange; an inner cannula; and an inner cannula connectorhaving snap ears, wherein the inner cannula connector may be coupled tothe inner cannula, and the inner cannula may be adapted for insertioninto the outer cannula, whereby the inner and outer cannulas may besubstantially coaxially aligned; wherein the first notches receive andhold the snap ears of the inner cannula connector when the snap ears arerotated into the first notches of the at least two retention tabs.

According to yet another specific example embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a tracheostomy air passage system includes a tracheostomytube comprising, an outer cannula; an outer cannula snap flange coupledto the outer cannula; at least two retention tabs attached to the outercannula snap flange, each of the at least two retention tabs having afirst notch therein, wherein the at least two retention tabs may besubstantially parallel to a radial axis of the outer cannula snapflange; an inner cannula; and an inner cannula connector having snapears, wherein the inner cannula connector may be coupled to the innercannula, and the inner cannula may be adapted for insertion into theouter cannula, wherein the first notches receive and hold the snap earsof the inner cannula connector when the snap ears are rotated into thefirst notches of the at least two retention tabs, whereby the inner andouter cannulas may be substantially coaxially aligned; a ventilator hosecoupled to the inner cannula connector; and a ventilator coupled to theventilator hose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be acquiredby referring to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a patient ventilation system, accordingto a specific example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view diagram of a radial snap and bayonetcannula connector attached to a proximal end of an outer cannula,according to a specific example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view diagram of the radial snap and bayonetouter cannula connector illustrated in FIG. 2 and a mating inner cannulaconnector that is in an unlocked position with the radial snap andbayonet outer cannula connector;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view diagram of the radial snap and bayonetouter cannula connector and the mating inner cannula connector,illustrated in FIG. 3, in the unlocked position;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view diagram of the radial snap and bayonetouter cannula connector illustrated in FIG. 2 and a mating inner cannulaconnector that is in a locked position with the radial snap and bayonetcannula connector; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view diagram of the radial snap and bayonetouter cannula connector and the mating inner cannula connectorillustrated in FIG. 5 in the locked position.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific example embodiments thereof have been shownin the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the description herein of specific exampleembodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particularforms disclosed herein, but on the contrary, this disclosure is to coverall modifications and equivalents as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, the details of specific exampleembodiments are schematically illustrated. Like elements in the drawingswill be represented by like numbers, and similar elements will berepresented by like numbers with a different lower case letter suffix.

Referring to FIG. 1, depicted is a schematic diagram of a patientventilation system, according to a specific example embodiment of thepresent disclosure. A patient 102 has a stoma 114 (opening) leading tohis/her trachea 116 in which an outer cannula 104 is inserted. The outercannula 104 may have a curved portion 105, e.g., L shaped. A neck flange106 may be attached to the patient's 102 neck, e.g., by tape and/orstraps, etc. (not shown). A ventilator hose 108 may couple a ventilator110 to a ventilator hose coupling 312 of an inner cannula connector 306(see FIGS. 4 and 6). The inner cannula connector 306 may be adapted forcoupling to a speaking valve 307.

Optionally, an inflation collar 112 may be proximate to the outer wallof the outer cannula 104, and an inflation lumen 120 may be within thewall of the outer cannula 104 or proximate thereto. An air valve port122 may be used in combination with the inflation lumen 120 and theinflation collar 112 for, when inflated, creating an air and/or liquidsealing function between the inflation collar 112 and the trachea 116air passage. The inflation collar 112 may also position the outercannula 104 in the trachea 116. More than one lumen may be in the wallof the cannula 104 and the additional lumens therein may be used forvarious other purposes. The inflation collar 112 may be inflated with afluid, e.g., air, nitrogen, saline, water, etc.

Referring to FIG. 2, depicted is a schematic side view diagram of aradial snap and bayonet outer cannula connector attached to a proximalend of an outer cannula, according to a specific example embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The radial snap and bayonet outer cannulaconnector, generally represented by the numeral 200, may comprise a snapflange 202 and retention tabs 204. The retention tabs 204 may besubstantially parallel to a radial axis of the radial snap and bayonetouter cannula connector 200. The retention tabs 204 may further comprisefirst notches 206 in the retention tabs 204. These first notches 206 maybe adapted for holding snap ears 308 (FIG. 3), e.g., bayonet styleretention tabs. The snap flange 202 may further comprise second notches208 adapted for further holding the snap ears 308 (FIGS. 3 and 4) oncethe snap ears 308 have engaged the snap flange 202. The second notches208 may have slight bumps or locking protrusions 210 thereon for holdingthe snap ears 308 when the snap ears 308 are rotated thereover, e.g.,locking indentations (not shown) on a face of the snap ears 308 slidesover the locking protrusions 210. It is contemplated and within thescope of this disclosure that one or more retention tabs 204 may beused.

Referring to FIG. 3, depicted is a schematic front view diagram of theradial snap and bayonet outer cannula connector 200, illustrated in FIG.2, and a mating inner cannula connector, generally represented by thenumeral 306, that is in an unlocked position with the radial snap andbayonet outer cannula connector 200. The inner cannula connector 306 maybe attached to an inner cannula 310 and may comprise snap ears 308 and aventilator hose coupling 312. The ventilator hose coupling 312 may beadapted for connection to the ventilator hose 108 (FIG. 1).

Referring to FIG. 4, depicted is a schematic side view diagram of theradial snap and bayonet outer cannula connector 200 and the mating innercannula connector 306, illustrated in FIG. 3, in the unlocked position.The snap ears 308 may be adapted to fit between the retention tabs 204,twist into the first notches 206 and snap over the second notches 208,thereby securing the inner cannula connector 306 to the snap flange 202of the radial snap and bayonet outer cannula connector 200.

Referring to FIG. 5, depicted is a schematic front view diagram of theradial snap and bayonet outer cannula connector 200, illustrated in FIG.2, and the mating inner cannula connector 306 that is in a lockedposition with the radial snap and bayonet outer cannula connector 200.

Referring to FIG. 6, depicted is a schematic side view diagram of theradial snap and bayonet outer cannula connector 200 and the mating innercannula connector 306, illustrated in FIG. 3, in the locked position.The snap ears 308 may be placed into the first notches 206 by turning ina rotational direction (polar rotation) 500 (FIG. 5) and thereafter maybe snapped over the second notches 208 in the snap flange 202 (FIG. 2),thereby securing the inner cannula connector 306 to the snap flange 202of the radial snap and bayonet outer cannula connector 200. Positioningthe snap ears 308 between the retention tabs 204 may substantiallyprevent the snap ears 308 from undesirably disengaging, e.g., unlocking,from the snap flange 202 because of twisting and/or axial torque on theinner cannula connector 306. It is contemplated and within the scope ofthis disclosure that one or more retention tabs 204 may be used forsubstantially preventing the snap ears 308 from undesirably disengaging.

While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted, described, andare defined by reference to example embodiments of the disclosure, suchreferences do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no suchlimitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable ofconsiderable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form andfunction, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent artand having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and describedembodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and are not exhaustiveof the scope of the disclosure.

1. A tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannulaconnector, comprising: an outer cannula snap flange; and at least oneretention tab associated with the outer cannula snap flange, the atleast one retention tab having a first notch therein, wherein the atleast one retention tab is substantially parallel to a radial axis ofthe outer cannula snap flange, and wherein the first notch receives andholds snap ears of an inner cannula connector when the snap ears arerotated into the first notch of the retention tab.
 2. The tracheostomytube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according toclaim 1, wherein the first notch comprises a plurality of first notches.3. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannulaconnector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one retention tabcomprises at least two retention tabs, each of the at least tworetention tabs having one first notch.
 4. The tracheostomy tubecombination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim1, wherein the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.
 5. Thetracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connectoraccording to claim 4, comprising second notches in the outer cannulasnap flange, wherein the second notches receive the snap ears when thesnap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.
 6. The tracheostomytube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according toclaim 5, wherein the second notches comprise locking protrusions thereonadapted for mating with locking indentations on a face of the snap ears.7. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannulaconnector according to claim 1, wherein the inner cannula connector iscoupled to a disposable inner cannula.
 8. The tracheostomy tubecombination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim1, wherein the inner cannula connector is coupled to a reusable innercannula.
 9. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonetcannula connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner cannulaconnector is a standard manufacture inner cannula connector.
 10. Thetracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connectoraccording to claim 1, wherein the outer cannula connector is coupled toan outer cannula.
 11. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap andbayonet cannula connector according to claim 10, wherein the outercannula is adapted for insertion into a patient stoma.
 12. Thetracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connectoraccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one retention tab comprisestwo retention tabs having the first notches substantially parallelbetween the two retention tabs.
 13. The tracheostomy tube combinationradial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1, whereinthe second notches and the snap ears are substantially in alignment whenthe snap ears have been rotated into the first notch of the at least oneretention tab.
 14. The tracheostomy tube combination radial snap andbayonet cannula connector according to claim 1, wherein the innercannula connector is adapted for coupling to a ventilator hose.
 15. Thetracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connectoraccording to claim 1, wherein the inner cannula connector is adapted forcoupling to a speaking valve.
 16. The tracheostomy tube combinationradial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim 1,comprising: an inflation lumen; and an inflation collar, wherein theinflation collar is positioned on an outside surface of an outer cannulaand the inflation lumen is adapted for directing a fluid to theinflation collar for inflation thereof.
 17. The tracheostomy tubecombination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector according to claim16, wherein the inflation collar is biased toward the distal end of theouter cannula.
 18. A medical device tube, comprising: an outer cannula;an outer cannula snap flange coupled to the outer cannula; at least tworetention tabs attached to the outer cannula snap flange, each of the atleast two retention tabs having a first notch therein, wherein the atleast two retention tabs are substantially parallel to a radial axis ofthe outer cannula snap flange; an inner cannula; and an inner cannulaconnector having snap ears, wherein the inner cannula connector iscoupled to the inner cannula, and the inner cannula is adapted forinsertion into the outer cannula, whereby the inner and outer cannulasare substantially coaxially aligned; wherein the first notches receiveand hold the snap ears of the inner cannula connector when the snap earsare rotated into the first notches of the at least two retention tabs.19. The medical device tube according to claim 18, wherein the snap earslock onto the outer cannula snap flange.
 20. The medical device tubeaccording to claim 19, comprising second notches in the outer cannulasnap flange, wherein the second notches receive the snap ears when thesnap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.
 21. The medicaldevice tube according to claim 20, wherein the second notches compriselocking protrusions thereon adapted for mating with locking indentationson a face of the snap ears.
 22. The medical device tube according toclaim 18, wherein the inner cannula connector is adapted for coupling toa speaking valve.
 23. The medical device tube according to claim 18,comprising: an inflation lumen; and an inflation collar, wherein theinflation collar is positioned on an outside surface of the outercannula and the inflation lumen is adapted for directing a fluid to theinflation collar for inflation thereof.
 24. The medical apparatusaccording to claim 23, wherein the inflation collar is biased toward thedistal end of the outer cannula.
 25. The medical device tube accordingto claim 23, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting ofair, nitrogen, saline, water, and combinations thereof.
 26. The medicaldevice tube according to claim 18, wherein the inner cannula isdisposable.
 27. The medical device tube according to claim 18, whereinthe inner cannula is reusable.
 28. A tracheostomy air passage system,said system comprising: a tracheostomy tube comprising, an outercannula; an outer cannula snap flange coupled to the outer cannula; atleast two retention tabs attached to the outer cannula snap flange, eachof the at least two retention tabs having a first notch therein, whereinthe at least two retention tabs are substantially parallel to a radialaxis of the outer cannula snap flange; an inner cannula; and an innercannula connector having snap ears, wherein the inner cannula connectoris coupled to the inner cannula, and the inner cannula is adapted forinsertion into the outer cannula, wherein the first notches receive andhold the snap ears of the inner cannula connector when the snap ears arerotated into the first notches of the at least two retention tabs,whereby the inner and outer cannulas are substantially coaxiallyaligned; a ventilator hose coupled to the inner cannula connector; and aventilator coupled to the ventilator hose.
 29. The tracheostomy airpassage system according to claim 28, wherein the snap ears lock ontothe outer cannula snap flange.
 30. The tracheostomy air passage systemaccording to claim 29, comprising second notches in the outer cannulasnap flange, wherein the second notches receive the snap ears when thesnap ears lock onto the outer cannula snap flange.
 31. The tracheostomyair passage system according to claim 30, wherein the second notchesfurther comprise locking protrusions thereon adapted for mating withlocking indentations on a face of the snap ears.
 32. The tracheostomyair passage system according to claim 28, wherein the inner cannulaconnector is a standard inner cannula connector.
 33. The tracheostomyair passage system according to claim 28, wherein the inner cannula isdisposable.
 34. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim28, wherein the inner cannula is reusable.
 35. The tracheostomy airpassage system according to claim 28, comprising an inflation lumen; andan inflation collar, wherein the inflation collar is positioned on anoutside surface of the outer cannula and the inflation lumen is adaptedfor directing a fluid to the inflation collar for inflation thereof soas to position and substantially seal the outer cannula in a patienttrachea.
 36. The tracheostomy air passage system according to claim 35,wherein the inflation collar is biased toward the distal end of theouter cannula.
 37. The tracheostomy air passage system according toclaim 28, wherein the inner cannula connector is adapted for coupling toa speaking valve.